Fight on for occupational science

The grand ballroom of the Balboa Pavilion welcomed some 500 USC supporters for the annual Trojan League of Orange County benefit dinner.

Each year the Orange County Trojan League raises funds to support one department at USC. This year’s event, Show Us Your Moves, raised funds for the department of occupational science and occupational therapy, which is at the top of national rankings.

Chaired by Trojan League President Janis Agopian and 2006 benefit committee chairwoman Melanie Fitch, the evening was a smashing success. Florence A. Clark, chair of the occupational science department and recipient of the USC Presidential Medallion, addressed the crowd on the work of the department.

Clark’s talk was sandwiched between an appropriate dose of cardinal-and-gold spirit, including performances by the USC song leaders and a respectable showing of USC football team alumni.

Local USC committee organizers included Maureen Mekjian, Alison McCormick, Mary Earl Spencer, Cherie Hart, Phyllis Christensen, Mimi Hogan, Diane Schweitzer and Susan Hart.

Also spotted in the crowd were Tammi and Bob Cluck, Bev and Carl Willgeroth, Paul Salata, Mark and Jean McGilvray, Lorian and John Petry, Christy and Steve Foster, Kathy and John Hamilton, Rick Robinson, Janice Munemitsu and Julie Jenkins.

In other USC social news, the 37th annual O.C. Junior Auxiliary of USC’s Town and Gown held its dinner and auction April 1 at the Talega Golf Club in San Clemente.

Organizers, including event chairwomen Judy Valdez and Nina Diltz, billed the evening as a party in Little Havana. A Cuban-inspired menu was served as guests enjoyed the music of Yari Moré and his 11-piece Latin orchestra.

The event raised scholarship funds earmarked for undergraduate students from Orange County.